Chapter 13 - THE WAREHOUSE|
The police immediately treated the message as evidence of a possible hostage situation.
Elena wanted to run straight to the warehouse. Instead, she sat with the lead investigator while the team assessed the building, the exits, and the risks to Sophie.
The original recording had already been copied and preserved. The authorities refused to send Elena into danger to deliver it, and Alessandro supported that decision.
“They want to control the situation,” he told her. “We cannot give them that control by acting exactly as they demand.”
For once, Elena did not argue.
The police established communication through the number that had sent the photograph. The sender demanded proof that Elena had the original tape. The investigator replied that the recording could be discussed after Sophie was safely released.
The sender threatened to hurt her.
Elena's stomach turned, but she kept her voice steady when the investigator asked her to identify the wording.
“That sounds like Ryan,” she said. “He always makes a threat sound like a warning. He wants you to believe he's giving you a chance.”
The investigators used the information to narrow the likely location inside the warehouse. The photograph showed a rusted stair rail and a broken window. Those details matched the upper office level of the building.
A few minutes later, a guard emerged from a side door and surrendered. He told the officers that Sophie was being held upstairs and that two men were guarding the room.
The police moved in.
Elena heard fragments over the radio: a secured entrance, a second suspect detained, a young woman located.
Then the investigator turned toward her.
“We have Sophie.”
Elena could not speak.
“She's alive,” the investigator added. “She's being examined now.”
Elena covered her face and began to cry.
When Sophie emerged from the building, she looked pale and shaken, but she ran toward her sister as soon as the officers allowed it.
Elena held her tightly.
“I'm sorry,” Sophie whispered.
“Don't you dare apologize.”
“I thought they were going to make you come.”
“They don't get to decide what we do anymore.”
Sophie clung to her.
Across the lot, Ryan Mercer was being escorted into a police vehicle. His face was furious when he saw Elena.
“You think he can protect you forever?” he shouted.
Elena trembled, but she did not look away.
“I don't need him to protect me forever. I need you to stop hurting people.”
Ryan laughed bitterly.
“You'll regret this.”
An officer closed the vehicle door.
Alessandro remained several steps behind Elena, giving her room to focus on her sister. He had not attempted to confront Ryan or turn the rescue into a personal victory.
When Sophie was taken for a medical examination, the investigators explained that Ryan and his associate would be questioned about the kidnapping, the threats, and the earlier assault. They also found documents in the warehouse linking the operation to Northbridge Security.
But the evidence raised another question.
Ryan had received instructions from someone who never appeared at the warehouse.
A hidden phone contained a list of payments and one message sent shortly before the kidnapping.
Once the sisters are separated, retrieve the tape. Sloane wants this finished.
The investigators photographed the screen and secured the device.
Richard Sloane was now more than a name in an old financial ledger.
He was a central figure in an active investigation.
As Elena sat beside Sophie in the hospital, Alessandro approached with a quiet update.
“Richard has left his office,” he said. “His attorney says he is traveling out of state.”
Elena looked up.
“Is he running?”
“I don't know.”
A moment later, the lead investigator called.
Richard's car had been found abandoned near the airport.
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His passport was missing.
And his office had been emptied.
